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Topic: Graduated Neutral Density Filters (Read 3004 times)

I rented a .6 split ND for a trip a few months ago and i fell in love with it immedietly! I'm strongly considering getting one but a quick search of B&H will reveal that merely in the under $250 category there are nearly 800 choices.. I'm willing to spend a maximum of about 125 to 150 bucks for this.

I found the circular filter i rented to be sightly limiting as i rarely put the horizon line directly in the center of the frame but it was soft enough of a transition that if i positioned it correctly you couldn't tell.. though i will say for traveling the circular was great since it was compact and inconspicuous but seeing as i don't travel much i would rather have the flexibility of square filters at all possible.. Not sure if square filters in that range are of good enough quality and i would also have to get a holder as well.. also the 2 stop filter i rented seemed very fit to most situations i ran into (though i am sure it wouldn't fit all)

just looking for any advise here on whats good in that range and any other split ND advise

canon rumors FORUM

Check the Lee Filter System. Judging by your signature in addition to the filter holder you will need a 77mm filter thread adapter too (both 70-200 2.8 IS II and 16-35 version 1 have a 77mm filter thread)Just make sure you select the Wide-angle 77mm adaptor.

As to the specific filters I would suggest that you get both a 2-stop soft ND and a 3-stop ND filters.

In what way are these filters better than a Cokin P set? I got me that and am pretty happy with it for the occasional shot - rings and mounts can be had for 1 or 2 usd on eBay, and where the <$5 filters will be hazy, the actual Cokin stuff, for a few dozen bucks each, I think is pretty decent. Is this just filter quality or does the Lee system have other advantages?

canon rumors FORUM

Cokin ND grad filters have a reputation for having a colour cast, so I wouldn't recommend them. For your budget, I would go for the Cokin adaptors (Cokin P is fine for crop sensors, but I would suggest Cokin Z for full frame), but I would get a set of Hi-Tech grads instead. If you mainly shoot landscapes with a straight horizon, such as seascapes or plains, then a hard grad set would be best, but if you shoot mountains or hills mainly, then a set of soft grads are usually better. If you really want to save some money, then you can get away either a 2 and a 3 stop (hard or soft as appropriate) or one hard and one soft 3 stop. Don't forget to factor in the cost of appropriate adapters for each lens filter thread sze you own.

I also recommend getting the LEE filter system. I shoot landscapes and am almost always using GND filters. I've used LEE, Cokin, Hitech, and Singh-Ray filters before and I find LEE filters to be the most neutral. The Cokin ones tend to give a purple/magenta cast. The Hitech ones also give a slight magenta cast. I've found even my Singh-Ray filter isn't totally neutral. At times it seems impossible to completely remove the color cast in post. Somehow the photo still seems a bit off no matter how much I try to get rid of the color cast. IMO, the LEE filters are best. I would recommend getting the set of 3 soft GNDs. I believe you can get them for ~$250 with is about a $10-$15 savings per filter. Definitely get the wide angle adapter as well.

I also recommend getting the LEE filter system. I shoot landscapes and am almost always using GND filters. I've used LEE, Cokin, Hitech, and Singh-Ray filters before and I find LEE filters to be the most neutral. The Cokin ones tend to give a purple/magenta cast. The Hitech ones also give a slight magenta cast. I've found even my Singh-Ray filter isn't totally neutral. At times it seems impossible to completely remove the color cast in post. Somehow the photo still seems a bit off no matter how much I try to get rid of the color cast. IMO, the LEE filters are best. I would recommend getting the set of 3 soft GNDs. I believe you can get them for ~$250 with is about a $10-$15 savings per filter. Definitely get the wide angle adapter as well.

Unfortunately, the OP's budget is only $150, otherwise Lee would be the way to go, although I havn't had any problems with my Singh-Ray reverse ND grad either.

I have the Lee Filter System too. It's expensive and can be delayed in turning up (due to demand sometimes exceeding supply). It's great for graduated hard and soft filters 100 x 150mm. I can't help wondering though if screw in filters a better for the ungraduated neutral density filters. I'm almost afraid to use my 10 Stop in case I break it or crush it in my bag. A screw in is better protected whilst being stored and when on a lens. Glass Lee Filters don't bounce as I've learned to my cost.http://www.flickr.com/photos/fergalocallaghan/8132608078/#in/photostream

well i just may have to save up a little bit longer then for this since the general figures seem to point towards Lee system.. also something else i would like to clear up is i do plan to move to full frame eventually so it is something i would want to be compatible (doesn't vignette really) whenever that maybe.. the holders are slightly confusing to me.. so can you basically buy a holder then as many adapter rings as you want to fit different size filter threads of your various lenses? or are certain holders only compatible with certain rings?

well i just may have to save up a little bit longer then for this since the general figures seem to point towards Lee system.. also something else i would like to clear up is i do plan to move to full frame eventually so it is something i would want to be compatible (doesn't vignette really) whenever that maybe.. the holders are slightly confusing to me.. so can you basically buy a holder then as many adapter rings as you want to fit different size filter threads of your various lenses? or are certain holders only compatible with certain rings?